Novartis has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination to increase access to treatment for poor people suffering from chronic diseases.

Under the MoU, Novartis and the ministry will collaborate to deliver a program called Novartis Access. This program will ensure access to high-quality medicines in the public sector, primarily targeting four key non-communicable diseases: cardiovascular diseases; diabetes; respiratory illnesses; and breast cancer. These illnesses are said to be responsible for nearly one-fifth of deaths in people aged between 30 and 70 in Pakistan every year.

In a pilot phase, Novartis Access drugs will be made available free-of-charge through selected empanelled hospitals in Islamabad under the Prime Minister’s National Health Program. Work has already started to extend the initiative to all districts in the National Health Program.

National Health Services Regulations and Coordination minister, Saira Afzal Tarar, said Pakistan is grievously affected by the growth of non-communicable diseases and having access to high-quality treatment at low cost is a critical part of its work to lessen the impact of chronic illnesses in the country.